Fubara downplays speculation of switching parties as supporters wait for ruling on APC appeal

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has finally spoken out about the widespread speculation that he has defected from the All Progressives Congress to the Nigeria Democratic Congress, stating that he remains a member of the ruling party.

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This speculation emerged amidst the disqualification of his loyalists by the APC's screening committee for House of Assembly aspirants, but Fubara has reaffirmed his commitment to the party during an inspection tour of newly constructed healthcare facilities in Rumuigbo, Obiakpor Local Government Area of Rivers State on Wednesday.

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While inspecting the newly constructed general hospital and the fully remodelled Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Fubara expressed his delight at the completion of the two projects, which were conceived to address critical needs in the state's health sector, noting that the projects were initiated to address issues that arose during his visit to the area.

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The governor recalled that the need for a general hospital in the area became apparent during his visit to the rehabilitation centre, where he found that the closest medical centre was the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, which is very far from the area, prompting the decision to build a general hospital to serve the neighbouring communities.

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Fubara stated that the project is now 100 per cent complete, thanking God for the successful completion of the project, which will provide much-needed healthcare services to the people in the area, including Rumuola, Rumuolumeni, and surrounding areas.

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Meanwhile, aspirants seeking the All Progressives Congress ticket for the Rivers State House of Assembly who submitted appeals after their screening are awaiting the outcome of the appeal, following the conclusion of the two-day sitting of the APC assembly screening appeal committee on Wednesday evening.

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The committee, headed by Dr Abdul Mahmud, received an unspecified number of petitions, with 19 petitions already submitted as of Tuesday, and Mahmud commended the aspirants for their peaceful conduct during the appeal process.

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When the committee concluded its sitting on Wednesday, the state APC spokesman, Chibike Ikenga, confirmed that the panel had concluded its report and would disclose its findings in due course, while one of the aspirants, Gogo Isaiah, stated that he appeared before the panel with the necessary documents and is waiting for the report to be made public.

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Dr Abdul Mahmud had earlier warned aspirants to stop sending him congratulatory messages, citing the example of disqualified aspirant Mr Tonye Tom-George, who was accused of attempting to bribe members during the screening and later sent Mahmud a congratulatory message on his appointment to the appeal panel.

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Mahmud expressed shock at the behaviour of Tom-George and other aspirants who sent him similar messages, stating that such messages are not necessary and can create an impression of attempting to influence the panel, calling for an end to the practice of sending such messages to judges and panelists.